In a fiery political counterattack, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday turned the tables on the ruling DMK, dismissing it as an "engine-less car" that is entirely dependent on its alliance partners for momentum. He delivered this scathing analogy during a public meeting in Gummidipoondi, as part of his state-wide campaign 'Makkalai Kappom, Tamilagathai Meetpom'.
Turning the Tables: A Political Analogy Reversed
Palaniswami's remarks came as a direct rebuttal to deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's recent jibe that the AIADMK itself was like a car without an engine. The AIADMK leader flipped the script, asserting that it is, in fact, the DMK that lacks a functional engine and survives only because it is being towed by a "lorry" – a metaphor for its coalition partners. He ominously predicted that this lorry is now beginning to falter and will soon detach from the car, leaving the DMK stranded.
Cracks in the Coalition: Palaniswami Points to Open Dissent
The opposition leader did not stop at metaphors. He pointed to specific instances of public discontent from within the DMK-led alliance to substantiate his claim of internal trouble. He highlighted three key examples:
- VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan's statement that his party would decide on the alliance based on circumstances.
- CPM leader P Shanmugam's criticism of the DMK government for failing to implement poll promises and assurances made to government employees.
- Tamil Nadu Congress leader Girish Chodankar's demand for a share in power.
"The DMK's alliance partners are openly expressing their discontent, which clearly indicates trouble within their camp. Soon, the alliance will desert the DMK," Palaniswami declared confidently to the gathering.
Countering Communal Charges and New Entrants
Addressing the sustained campaign by the DMK and its allies branding the BJP as a "communal force," Palaniswami posed a pointed question. He wondered if the DMK and the VCK were unaware of the BJP's ideology when they chose to ally with it during the 2001 assembly election.
He also took a swipe at actor Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), suggesting that new political entrants make tall claims without acknowledging the AIADMK's legacy of governing Tamil Nadu for over 30 years.
Unexpected Incident at the Rally
The political speech was briefly interrupted by an unexpected medical incident. Tiruvallur north district secretary Sirunivam P Balaraman, who was standing beside Palaniswami on the campaign vehicle, suddenly fainted. Police personnel present at the scene acted swiftly to support him, and he was promptly taken to safety for medical attention.
Palaniswami's aggressive rhetoric and the cited examples of alliance discord signal a concerted effort by the AIADMK to project the DMK government as unstable and internally fractured as the political battle in Tamil Nadu intensifies.
